Cell phone relative position indication on displayed map using GPS coordinates
A wireless terminal tracks a tracked wireless terminal and displays tracking information to a user. The tracking wireless terminal sends a tracking request for the tracked wireless terminal via a supporting wireless network infrastructure. When the tracking request is valid, the tracking wireless terminal receives a tracking response for the tracked wireless terminal. Based upon the tracking response, the tracking wireless terminal accesses a map segment corresponding to received location coordinates. The tracking wireless terminal determines a relative position of the location coordinates of the tracked wireless terminal with respect to the map segment. With this determination made, operation concludes with the tracking wireless terminal displaying the map segment and an icon on the map segment that represents the tracked wireless terminal. The icon representing the tracked wireless terminal is displayed at the relative position of the location coordinates of the tracked wireless terminal.
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The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 120, as a continuation, to the following U.S. Utility Patent Application which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility Patent Application for all purposes:
1. U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/069,445, entitled “Cell phone relative position indication on displayed map using GPS coordinates,” (Attorney Docket No. BP4112), filed Mar. 1, 2005, pending, which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to the following U.S. Provisional Patent Application which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility Patent Application for all purposes:
a. U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/647,256, entitled “Cell phone relative position indication on displayed map using GPS coordinates,” (Attorney Docket No. BP4112), filed Jan. 26, 2005, now expired.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Technical Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to communication systems; and, more particularly, it relates to operations relating to the location/mobility of a wireless terminal.
2. Description of Related Art
Communication systems are well known. Communication systems include both wired communication systems and wireless communication systems. Wired communication systems include the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs), and other networks that use wired or optical media for the transmission of data. Wireless communication systems include cellular telephone systems, satellite communication systems, Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs), and other networks that employ a wireless link between a serviced terminal and a network infrastructure. Of course, many communications are serviced using a combination of wireless communication systems and wired communication systems.
With the current state of society, security of the person is of increasing importance. For example, parents who have children in daycare are particularly concerned for their safety. Likewise, the safety of adults as well is also a concern. Because many people typically carry cellular telephones and/or other wireless terminals, it would be appropriate to use such cellular telephones/wireless terminals to address such security concerns and location concerns. With the increasing reduction in size of wireless terminals, the use of such wireless terminals for security and location purposes becomes even more attractive. Thus, there is a need in the art for techniques for utilizing wireless terminals to address security concerns.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operation that are further described in the following Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As is shown, base station/WAP 110 supports wireless terminals 118 and 120 within a respective serving area, e.g., cell, sector, premises, area, etc. Likewise, base station/WAP 112 supports wireless terminals 122 and 124, base station/WAP 114 supports wireless terminals 126 and 128, and base station/WAP 116 supports wireless terminal 130 and 132. The base stations/WAPs 110, 112, 114, and 116 are serviced via network backbone 134 and interface device 136. The interface device 136 couples the backbone network 134 to another network 138. The another network 138 may include a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), the Internet, or any other type of network that couples the network backbone 134 via the network interface 136 to computers or terminals 140 and 142.
The operation of the wireless communication system 100 and of the wireless terminals 118-132 supported thereby will be described further with reference to
Operation continues with the tracking wireless terminal 118 determining a relative position of the location coordinates of the tracked wireless terminal 128 with respect to the map segment. With this determination made, operation concludes with the tracking wireless terminal 118 displaying the map segment and an icon on the map segment that represents the tracked wireless terminal 128. The icon representing the tracked wireless terminal 128 is displayed at the relative position of the location coordinates of the tracked wireless terminal 128.
Operation continues with the tracking wireless terminal receiving a tracking response via the supporting wireless network infrastructure (Step 206). The tracking response includes location coordinates corresponding to the tracked wireless terminal. The tracking wireless terminal then determines its own location coordinates by accessing an on-board Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, for example (Step 208). Alternately, the tracking wireless terminal may determine its own location coordinates by sending a location request to the supporting wireless network infrastructure. The supporting wireless network infrastructure determines the location of the tracking wireless terminal and the servicing network then responds to the tracking wireless terminal with a location response that includes the location coordinates of the tracking wireless terminal.
The tracking wireless terminal next determines a relative position of the location coordinates of the tracked wireless terminal with respect to its own location coordinates (Step 210). The tracking wireless terminal then displays an indication of the relative position of the tracked wireless terminal on its display (Step 212). One technique for displaying such indication is described herein subsequently with reference to
Operation continues with the tracking wireless terminal receiving a tracking response via the supporting wireless network infrastructure (Step 256). The tracking response includes location coordinates corresponding to the tracked wireless terminal. Based upon the tracking response, the tracking wireless terminal accesses a map segment corresponding to the location coordinates (Step 258). The map segment may be stored locally to the wireless terminal. Alternatively, the map segment may be accessed by the tracking wireless terminal via the network infrastructure to a server computer that stores the map segment(s). When the tracking wireless terminal is contained in/located within an automobile, for example, the automobile may include a CD or DVD drive that stores many different map segments. In this case, the tracking wireless terminal simply accesses the CD or DVD drive to obtain the particular map segment. When the tracking wireless terminal is a handheld terminal, for example, the tracking wireless terminal will have limited onboard storage and will access the map segment via the supporting wireless network infrastructure.
Operation continues with the tracking wireless terminal determining a relative position of the location coordinates of the tracked wireless terminal with respect to the map segment (Step 260). The operations of Step 260 may include determining the location coordinates of the tracking wireless terminal as will be described further with reference to
In indicating the proximity of the tracked wireless terminal at Step 356, the tracking wireless terminal may compare the proximity to a proximity threshold and issue a proximity alert based upon a favorable comparison. Likewise, the tracking wireless terminal may compare the proximity to a plurality of proximity thresholds and issue a proximity alert of a plurality of proximity alerts based upon a corresponding favorable comparison. Proximity alerts may include, for example, flashing light that has a flashing pattern corresponding to the proximity alert, an audible alarm that has an audible pattern corresponding to the proximity alert, a visual meter reading having an indicated magnitude corresponding to the proximity alert, and a visual vector reading having an indicated magnitude and direction corresponding to the proximity alert.
Thus, the operations of
The requesting device may be the tracked wireless terminal. Alternatively, the requesting device may be a monitoring location terminal that serves as a gate keeper for tracking operations, a partnered wireless terminal that acts as an intervening party in determining whether the tracking wireless terminal should be able to track the tracked wireless terminal, or a partnered landline terminal that has similar functionality.
The map segment shown on display 602 also shows roads 622 and 624. The tracking wireless terminal 626 is shown as an icon in the shape of an automobile because it is residing upon road 622. Track wireless terminal 628 and 630 are shown as different icons because they are not currently present on an identified roadway of the map segment. Thus, as is shown in
Note that the operations of
Because of privacy concerns, it may be the case that authority to determine the location of a minor would have to be established prior to request by the requesting device. Alternately, law enforcement agencies, parole agents, or other governmental entities may have blanket authority to determine location of wireless terminal coupled or used by particular users of the wireless terminal. For example, a criminal on parole may have coupled thereto a wireless terminal that is a condition of the parole itself. In such case, the location of the parolee would be trackable because of the constant possession of the tracked wireless terminal. Another example, a relative may give authority to his other relatives to track his or her location via the wireless terminal. In this case, the individuals tracking the location of the tracked wireless terminal will feel secure in the knowledge that the user is in a safe location.
The processing unit 906 may include any type of processor such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or a combination of processing type devices. The processing unit 906 is operable to execute a plurality of software instructions that are stored in memory 908 and downloaded for execution. The processing unit 906 may also include specialized hardware required to implement particular aspects of the present invention. Memory 908 may include SRAM, DRAM, PROM, flash RAM, or any other type of memory capable of storing data and instructions.
A user interface 910 may include a microphone, a speaker, a keypad, a screen, a touch screen, a light, a voice recognition system, an optical recognition system that would authenticate a user's iris, for example, and/or any other type of interface that may be employed in the wireless terminal. In some embodiments, the user interface 910 may include therewith ability to service a headset including microphone and earpiece for the user. In some embodiments of the wireless terminal 900, the user interface 910 is of reduced functionality to minimize the size of the wireless terminal 900. In such case, programming of the wireless terminal 900 may be performed via the wireless interface 904. In such case, the wireless terminal 900 may be small enough to be worn around a child's wrist, around the neck, pinned to the inside of clothing, placed in a pocket, or concealed upon the person. Battery 912 powers the components of the wireless terminal 900.
The system of
As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the term “substantially” or “approximately,” as may be used herein, provides an industry-accepted tolerance to its corresponding term. Such an industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to twenty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. As one of average skill in the art will further appreciate, the terms “communicatively coupled” or “operably coupled”, as may be used herein, includes direct coupling and indirect coupling via another component, element, circuit, or module where, for indirect coupling, the intervening component, element, circuit, or module does not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As one of average skill in the art will also appreciate, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two elements in the same manner as “operably coupled.” As one of average skill in the art will further appreciate, the term “compares favorably,” as may be used herein, indicates that a comparison between two or more elements, items, signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1.
The invention disclosed herein is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. Specific embodiments therefore have been shown by way of example in the drawings and detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a first communication device that is operative to: transmit a tracking request via supporting wireless network infrastructure to track position of a second communication device; receive a tracking response via the supporting wireless network infrastructure, the tracking response including a position corresponding to the second communication device as determined by the supporting wireless network infrastructure; and identify the position of the second communication device relative to the first communication device.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- the second communication device is operative to transmit a location request to the supporting wireless network infrastructure; and
- the supporting wireless network infrastructure is operative to: determine the position corresponding to the second communication device in response to the location request; and provide a location response to the second communication device that includes the position corresponding to the second communication device.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- the first communication device is operative to transmit a location request to the supporting wireless network infrastructure; and
- the supporting wireless network infrastructure is operative to: determine a position corresponding to the first communication device in response to the location request; and provide a location response to the first communication device that includes the position corresponding to the first communication device.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:
- the first communication device includes a display; and
- the first communication device is operative to: based on the position corresponding to the second communication device, access a map segment via the supporting wireless network infrastructure; and on the display, indicate the position corresponding to the second communication device and the position corresponding to the first communication device with respect to the map segment.
5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:
- the first communication device includes a memory storage device that stores a map segment;
- the first communication device includes a display; and
- on the display, the first communication device is operative to indicate the position corresponding to the second communication device and the position corresponding to the first communication device with respect to the map segment.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- the first communication device includes a display; and
- the first communication device is operative to: based on the position corresponding to the second communication device, access a map segment via the supporting wireless network infrastructure; and on the display, indicate the position corresponding to the second communication device with respect to the map segment.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- the first communication device includes a memory storage device that stores a map segment;
- the first communication device includes a display; and
- on the display, the first communication device is operative to indicate the position corresponding to the second communication device with respect to the map segment.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- the supporting wireless network infrastructure includes a plurality of network segments; and
- at least one of the plurality of network segments is a backbone network, a cellular wireless communication system, a local area network (WAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), or Internet; and
- the first communication device is operative to communicate with the second communication device via more than one of the plurality of network segments.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- the supporting wireless network infrastructure includes a first network segment and a second network segment;
- the first communication device communicates with the first network segment of the supporting wireless network infrastructure;
- the second communication device communicates with the second network segment of the supporting wireless network infrastructure; and
- the first network segment and the second network segment are communicatively coupled by an interface device.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- the first communication device is operative to identify a change of the position of the second communication device relative to the first communication device.
11. An apparatus, comprising:
- a first communication device, that includes a display, that is operative to: transmit a tracking request via supporting wireless network infrastructure to track position of a second communication device; receive a tracking response via the supporting wireless network infrastructure, the tracking response including a position corresponding to the second communication device as determined by the supporting wireless network infrastructure; transmit a location request to the supporting wireless network infrastructure; receive a location response from the supporting wireless network infrastructure that includes the position corresponding to the first communication device; identify the position of the second communication device relative to the first communication device; and on the display, indicate the position corresponding to the second communication device relative to the position corresponding to the first communication device.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:
- the second communication device is operative to transmit a location request to the supporting wireless network infrastructure; and
- the supporting wireless network infrastructure is operative to: determine the position corresponding to the second communication device in response to the location request; and provide a location response to the second communication device that includes the position corresponding to the second communication device.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:
- the first communication device is operative to: based on the position corresponding to the second communication device, access a map segment via the supporting wireless network infrastructure; and on the display, indicate the position corresponding to the second communication device and the position corresponding to the first communication device with respect to the map segment.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:
- the first communication device includes a memory storage device that stores a map segment; and
- on the display, the first communication device is operative to indicate the position corresponding to the second communication device and the position corresponding to the first communication device with respect to the map segment.
15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:
- the supporting wireless network infrastructure includes a plurality of network segments; and
- at least one of the plurality of network segments is a backbone network, a cellular wireless communication system, a local area network (WAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), or Internet; and
- the first communication device is operative to communicate with the second communication device via more than one of the plurality of network segments.
16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:
- the first communication device is operative to identify a change of the position of the second communication device relative to the first communication device.
17. An apparatus, comprising:
- a first communication device that is operative to: transmit a tracking request via supporting wireless network infrastructure to track position of a second communication device; receive a tracking response via the supporting wireless network infrastructure, the tracking response including a position corresponding to the second communication device as determined by the supporting wireless network infrastructure; transmit a location request to the supporting wireless network infrastructure; receive a location response from the supporting wireless network infrastructure that includes the position corresponding to the first communication device; identify the position of the second communication device relative to the first communication device; identify a change of the position of the second communication device relative to the first communication device.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:
- the second communication device is operative to transmit a location request to the supporting wireless network infrastructure; and
- the supporting wireless network infrastructure is operative to: determine the position corresponding to the second communication device in response to the location request; and provide a location response to the second communication device that includes the position corresponding to the second communication device.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:
- the first communication device includes a display; and
- on the display, the first communication device is operative to indicate the position corresponding to the second communication device relative to the position corresponding to the first communication device.
20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:
- the supporting wireless network infrastructure includes a plurality of network segments; and
- at least one of the plurality of network segments is a backbone network, a cellular wireless communication system, a local area network (WAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), or Internet; and
- the first communication device is operative to communicate with the second communication device via more than one of the plurality of network segments.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 17, 2009
Publication Date: Nov 12, 2009
Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION (IRVINE, CA)
Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz (Irvine, CA), James D. Bennett (Hroznetin)
Application Number: 12/505,302
International Classification: H04W 4/02 (20090101);